Boldin Sets Timetable for Future in AZ

Amberly Richardson

07/24/2008

After Thursday's conditioning tests Anquan Boldin set the record straight concerning his future in the desert. His on-time reporting the day before was false security for fans. He says his desires for a new contract are no longer an issue; he's washed his hands of the situation and gave the order for his agent to no longer negotiate with Arizona. AZRedReport.com answers the question, now what?

Anquan Boldin says he deserves to be treated better, his numbers prove it. He's right. Boldin is one of the elite receivers in the league, and quintessential Boldin is one of most entertaining to watch.

But Boldin says he was misled by the Cardinals organization. He told media just minutes after Thursday's conditioning tests that he felt lied to and that he was promised a deal would get done before this season. Since the season is upon him and still no deal, he's done. Boldin does not want to re-sign he will just play out his current deal that expires after the 2010 season in Boldin style because he doesn't know how to do anything else.

Before Thursday, Boldin wasn't bantering off like the Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester who was a no-show at camp. Entering his third season, Hester isn't sure whether he will be a No.1, 2 or three receiver next year. There are no questions as to what Boldin means to the organization. In five years, he's produced three 1,200-plus seasons, and he is in the group of core players who the Cardinals are adamant on keeping moving forward.

In February, General Manager Rod Graves said the Cardinals were certainly going to attempt keeping both Larry Fitzgerald and Boldin. Fitzgerald has since been locked down to an agreement that dishes out quite a bit. Although widely reported as a four-year contract good for $40 million and through 2011. A league source provided Scout.com with documents that indicated Fitzgerald actually agreed to a four-year extension through 2012, which has the possibility of being voided after the 2011 season.

Boldin isn't concerned about Fitzgerald's numbers. He's made no qualms about the fact that his teammate deserves it. Boldin thinks that his own rookie contract that was renogiated in 2005, which was a four-year extension worth more than $22 million complete with a $13.255 million signing bonus, isn't enough for what he brings to the field.

It's always been the Cardinals intention to keep Boldin and Fitzgerald.

"It's hard to make that determination right now," Graves said. "But certainly going into the '08 season, both players will be with us."

Arizona is expected to be under the cap by $3 million to $5 million once the last rookie (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) is signed. The pause here is that Graves would like a comfortable cushion in case of injuries.

The Cardinals have other concerns too. They failed to reach an agreement with Karlos Dansby who is a franchised player, Kurt Warner is searching for a new deal and Darnell Dockett is in the mix too (although the latter hasn't been taken too seriously).

Arizona has already said that they are not interested in trading Boldin. In April, Graves said he would not field calls from other teams about Boldin, all he wants is a championship team with Boldin on board.

If that attitude changes next offseason, Early Doucet is waiting in the wings. He's already been compared to a younger Boldin. His college coach is one of the many to make the comparison.

"They both want to be the best in everything they do," LSU wide receiver coach DJ McCarthy told AZRedReport.com. "They both have close to the same 40 yard dash time, and both got drafted a little later than they wanted to be. Because of that, it seems like both of them carry chips on their shoulders and use that to motivate them on the field. Finally they are both quality kids and will do everything that they have asked you to do."